ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 1
Tulimieri 35
HIBERNIANS 1
Grech 90
Jake Grech struck at the death as Hibernians were held by Ħamrun Spartans 1-1 at the National Stadium.
It was Ħamrun who saw more of the ball in the opening stages of the first half and on 18 minutes they were awarded a free-kick from which Triston Caruana’s delivery was met by Carlos Hennenberg who saw his header pushed over by goalkeeper Marko Jovicic.
Hibs continued to struggle to break down the Spartans’ defensive line and on 27 minutes it was William Domoraud who picked up Calil but the Ħamrun forward fired just over.
The Paolites finally threatened on the half hour. They won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Nemanja Radojevic’s inswinger was turned to a corner by Bartolo.
The stalemate was finally broken ten minutes from half time. From a Caruana free-kick, Tulimieri was first on the ball to head past Jovicic.
Here, Hibs tried to come into life but for all their possession they only had one shot on target which came five minutes from the break.
Dias’s cross was somehow cleared by the Spartans defence and Dunstan Vella’s shot was deflected just wide.
On the restart, Hibernians tried to step up their ante and on 51 minutes Andre Agius’ inswinger was blocked by Bartolo.
On 57 minutes, the Paolites threatened again when Taylon played in Jake Grech but the midfielder was denied by the onrushing Bartolo.
Ħamrun were forced to make their first change just past the hour when Andre Scicluna picked up a facial injury and was replaced by Matthew Gauci.
On 73 minutes Bjorn Kristensen tried his luck from the distance but his shot hit a defender and flew wide.
Hibernians were grewing desperate and they started to resort to long range shots with Sahanek firing over on 86 minutes.
The Paolites should have equalised a mintue from time when Vella found Fonseca inside the area but his thumping drive was somehow kept out by Bartolo.
But Hibs managed to save a point in the 93rd minute when Fonseca dsahded into the area and picked Jake Grech who beat Bartolo from close in.
There was still time for Sahanek to hit a thumping drive that was somehow kept out by Bartolo.
Kevin Tulimieri was voted as the BOV Player of the match.